Monday, November 28, 2011

Muffin top is not a term I am very fond of. Especially since it can be used to describe a rather unsightly part of my body that seems to have developed somewhere during pregnancy. Even after I lost the pregnancy weight, the annoying extra layer around my middle stayed put. So long, low waisted jeans.

Over the past year or so, I packed on about five (ok, more like seven) pounds. Again, normally not reason to panic, except now, those pounds are holding tight around my waist, kind of like Stella does when she doesn't want me to go to work. But not as heartwarming.

I went back on a little diet about a month ago and along with my Team in Training workouts (have you checked out my webpage yet?) I was able to lose about five pounds! Very exciting and the muffin top was diminished to minimal appearances. And then came Thanksgiving.

I know I don't need to tell anyone about the damage that can be done on Thanksgiving, and if this was limited to one day it wouldn't be a big deal. As I peer in my fridge and look at the endless leftovers, it is quite apparent that the overeating may be here to stay. And no, I don't have the willpower to fight it. Even worse, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season known for the delightful eats throughout the entire month of December and of course, the onset of the New Year's resolutions of dieting.

What to do when trying to battle the holiday treats? Exercise is a simple solution, and again, with my half marathon just around the corner, it should be an easy fix. Although with the shortened days, cold weather, and busy schedules, it is easier said than done. I did take advantage of our 80 degree weather this weekend (don't hate me) and managed to take Stella for a long bike ride. Perhaps I will just embrace the extra winter layer for now until I come up with a better solution or find some willpower. The sad thing is, the entire time I have been writing this, the stuffing and pumpkin pie in the fridge have been calling my name. Give me strength.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Last year I pledged to be thankful more often than just during this time of year. Although I may not have done this as often as I had hoped, I can say that I do find myself being thankful more often than in the past.

I truly believe that being a mom and having Stella is what has made the difference. The glasses that I see things from are a color that I didn't know existed. Stella has completely changed the way I look at family, work, and how I spend my time. Much of this has come from lessons that my sassy, little daughter has taught me.

Lessons Learned From an 18-month-old Teacher (in no particular order)

1. Love is unconditional - No matter what the mood, the situation, or the day's events, at the end of the day, your family members are there to love you no matter what and vice versa.

2. Schedules are sometimes meant to be broken - Not following a schedule can lead to quality time with loved ones that would have been missed otherwise.

3. Get mad, throw a fit, and get over it- When something happens that you don't like, have a quick 1 minute tantrum and then move on to something else. Don't dwell on it.

4. See the amazing things that life has to offer - Finding joy around you is simple. Whether it be something on the television, a walk in the sun, or even a new book, finding joy is easy. There are so many things to be happy about and they are right under our nose.

5. Play by your own rules - Who cares what the norm is. It doesn't matter if you want to wear pajamas all day long or watch the same thing on TV over and over again. Cookies for breakfast and pancakes for dinner? No problem. At the end of the day, nobody else cares.

6. You can never hug and kiss the people you love enough- Give hugs and kisses ALL THE TIME! When you can't use words to tell people how you feel, hug them and give them slobbery kisses to show them. It is surprisingly enjoyable!

7. Make each day a new day - It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Live as though you don't even remember that it happened.

8. Be silly when you feel like it - Wear crazy hats and other people's shoes. Dance to commercials, roll around on the ground, and squeal out loud when there is something that excites you. The days are too short to worry about being judged, and when you surround yourself with people that love you, they won't judge you anyway.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is feeling a lot like holiday season and I love it! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!

We have a fabulous guest hostesses today, Carmen from Mommy Talk. Be sure to stop over there and say hello!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the guest hostess.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Friday, November 18, 2011

We all know that feeling of doom when things get so busy, it seems like there is no way out. Being a full-time mom keeps us busy enough not to mention being a wife, housekeeper, employee, and cook, just to name a few. I often know that I am overextending myself with all of the things I try to do.

For this reason, I have decided to take on another adventure. Am I crazy? Yes, but it is for good reason. A few weeks ago, a close friend of ours, Adam Eves was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At 29 years-old, his entire world changed with one phone call.

The tumor is located in his chest and is a very aggressive tumor. In fact, his doctor has already spoken at a seminar about how severe his situation is and how fast growing the tumor has been. He has since completed two weeks of radiation and started chemotherapy treatment. It was his first of five to seven treatments over a time period of six months.

I had been training for a half marathon in January and decided to do some good with this at the same time. In honor of Adam, I have joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Team in Training for the half marathon event. I will now be running the half marathon for Adam and to raise money for cancer. The services that LLS provides ranges from research to financial support for cancer patients and has helped others I know personally in the past. Additionally, our team has honorary members, and they are both children with cancer. This struck home even more, as a mother. I knew right then that it was a perfect fit.

I have found myself wondering why I have decided to take on yet another endeavor. Do I really need to dedicate more time to something outside of my family and job? The answer is yes. As a mother, a sister, a friend, and a health educator, I know the severity of cancer and the effects it has on everyone involved. I want to not only raise money to bring us closer to a cure, but I also want to raise awareness of the types of cancers and warning signs. Signs that may one day save someone else's life.

What are the causes and issues that you find important in your own lives? Do you ever think that you alone couldn't make that much of a difference? You can! We all can and I am going to do it mile by mile (for 13.1 miles), dollar by dollar. I wonder how long it will take me...

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is feeling a lot like holiday season and I love it! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!

We have a fabulous guest hostesses today, Kalyn from And I Thought I Loved You Then. She is mom to beautiful daughter Eliza and has the coolest man gift I ever did see. Be sure to stop over there and say hello!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the guest hostess.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

I cannot believe that a year-and-a-half has gone by already. It seems like just yesterday when I started blogging about how much my life had changed. There are so many things that have are different and strangely, many things that are not. The important things in your life as a person no longer hold true as a parent. Each day I wake up with one thing in mind, my daughter. How has time gone by so quickly?

Here are some of the things Stella has taught me in the past year and a half:

You don't know love until you have a child.

Each day is a new day of discovering and learning.

You can never start getting ready to head out too early.

Sick days are no longer reserved for when you get sick.

A clean house is no longer the same as a tidy house.

There is no end to laundry...or dishes...or taking the trash out.

It doesn't matter how haute you look; sticky fingers can change that in a heart beat.

No job can ever prepare you for being a mommy.

Being a mother has opened up my world in so many ways. I only have Stella to thank for all of the ways I have grown in the past year and a half! Happy 18 months Stella!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is feeling a lot like holiday season and I love it! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!

We have a fabulous guest hostesses today, Katie from Mommy With Selective Memory! Her blog is hilarious and she is a mommy of two toddlers and a full-time job! Visit her and say hello!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Share that you are participating on your own blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

'Tis the season, Stella is sick. I have to say that (knock on wood) she doesn't get sick too often but since she has been in day care, the illness rates have definitely increased. Everyone warned me so I can't say that I am surprised, not that it makes it any easier. Our warning that croup was going around was received on Halloween and by Wednesday, Stella was sent home mid-morning with a fever. She has been sick going on four days now with a high fever (over 104) for at least two of those days.

The little patient while on a walk today to get some fresh air.

The nights have been long lately because all the sick patient wants is "mama". My hubby thinks it's sweet that she want to cling to me when she doesn't feel well but I haven't felt this suffocated since one of my high school boyfriends turned into a "stage 5 clinger" as they put it. I feel bad admitting this but it is so tough for me to be loving and nurturing and put that frustration of not being able to even use the restroom without your little one screaming bloody murder aside. With hubby sleeping on the couch and Stella and I in bed, little sleep has been achieved and so my already thin patience is in the danger zone.

I just have to remember that Stella isn't feeling well, in fact, I have made that my mantra in attempts to not be grumpy with her during her cling-on moments. We have all gone through having sick little ones and if parenting wasn't hard enough, a croup-coughing 18 month old always shakes things up a bit. Fortunately for me, she's in her crib napping and I am going to take advantage by napping (well, when I am done blogging.)

The hubby is taking me out for dinner tonight because he sees the boiling point coming close to steaming out of my ears while grandma comes over to hang with Stella. When I warned her that she might need to be held a lot all she said was, "Like that is a bad thing?" Ha. Tap, tap, it's her turn.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is starting to feel a lot like Fall and I love it! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!

We have TWO fabulous guest hostesses today. Both are fellow haute moms and you are going to love what they have to say! Lady Goo Goo Ga Ga will give you a good laugh (seriously, she is stinkin' hilarious.) And Mackey's Moments wants you to button up!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.

There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.

2. Share that you are participating on your own blog.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.

4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

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